Living materials shipping system

ABSTRACT

A disposable shipping system for living materials, such as small animals, includes a number of individual compartments placed in multiples of two or more in a carrying case that may be transported without injuring the animals.

nited States Spencer ateilt 1 1 LIVING MATERIALS SHIPPING SYSTEM [75]Inventor: William C. Spencer, Matalda, Pa.

[73] Assignee: American Science and Engineering,

Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

22 Filed: Apr. 12,1971

21 Appl.No.: 133,203

[52] US. Cl. ..229/27 R, 229/6 A, 229/22,

1 19/19 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 5/48 [58] Field of Search ..1 19/19; 229/6A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1962 Cum ..ll9/l9 11/1964Patten ..119/l9 4 1 May 1, 1973 3,306,258 2/1967 Hunt ..1 19/191,875,044 8/1932 Leiper ..229/22 1,818,908 8/1931 Pouchain ..229/6 A1,956,444 4/1934 Hewitt ....229/6 A UX 3,361,329 H1968 Fox ..229/22 X2,913,161 11/1959 Travis ..229/22 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS166,407 3/1959 Sweden ..229/6 A Primary Examiner-Donald F. NortonAtt0rneyCharles Hieken ABSTRACT A disposable shipping system for livingmaterials, such as small animals, includes a number of individualcompartments placed in multiples of two or more in a carrying case thatmay be transported without injuring the animals.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY Hm 3.730.418

sum 1 0F 3 INVENTOR.

- WILLIAM SPENCER ATTORNEY PATENTED MAY 1 I975 sum 2 BF 3 INVENTORSPENCER WILL/AM ATTORNEV PATENTEU W 1 i975 SHEET 3 UF 5;

INVENTOR. WILLIAM SPENCER ATTORNEY LIVING MATERIALS SHIPPING SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general toshipping living materials and more particularly concerns novelcontainers for shipping living materials, such as animals, that are lowenough in cost to be disposable while affording good protection ofanimals being carried.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a structurallysound shipping container for living materi- Another object of theinvention is to achieve the preceding object with a well ventilatedcontainer suitable for shipping a number of animals.

It is another object of the invention to achieve one or more of thepreceding objects with a disposable container.

It is another object of the invention to achieve one or more of thepreceding objects with a container that remains normally upright and isdifficult to tip over.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a shipping containerin accordance with the preceding object having means for accommodatingindividual pets in individual containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A container according to the inventioncomprises a base of area greater than the area of the top. The top isformed with a screen opening. An operable bottom section comprises aboutone half the surface area for receiving an animal to be carried wherebythe remainder of the unit may be closed over the animal with top meansfor locking the bottom section closed for transit. Preferably there area plurality of such containers and a carrier for receiving thecontainer. The carrier is of substantially triangular cross section andincludes openings for receiving the containers defined by horizontal andvertical mating partitions. The ends of the carrier may be folded overthe openings and taped shut to help reinforce the carrier. Numerousother features, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following specification when read in connection withthe accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows an animal containeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container open;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway section and end view of the container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of a carrier for the container;

FIG. 5 is a structural member for insertion within the carrier;

FIG. 6 is a view ofa horizontal structural member for insertion withinthe carrier;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the carrier showing the central reinforcingstructure; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sealed container ready for shipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now to thedrawing and more particularly FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown aperspective view of a container according to the invention. Container 11is made of corrugated cardboard, such as 200 No. B Flute corrugatedKraft. Container 11 is formed with an opening 14 covered by screen 12secured to the top by means such as staples 13. Screen 12 may be ofaluminum, nylon or other suitable material. A stored animal may breatheand be observed through the screen while being prevented from escaping.The screen thus comprises ventilating means formed with openings largeenough to permit observation and air flow therethrough and small enoughto confine living material to the inside thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of container ll tipped on itsside with bottom flap 19 open. The animal to be carried is placed onflap 19, and the container moved upright. Tab 15 may then be tucked into completely enclose the animal. If desired, tape may be applied toflap 19 to hold it in place. With the animal on flap I9 and container 11upright, tape is usually not really necessary.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view through section 33of FIG. 1. Container 11 may be formed from a stamped piece of cardboardfolded as shown with flaps 20 carrying an adhesive to secure the sidepanels to the end panels. By forming base 21 of area much larger thanthe top, the animal is confined largely to resting on the base so thatits weight helps keep the unit from being tipped over. If struck orpushed, it will slide on base 21. Flap 19 will not open until such timeas access to the inside of the container is desired. Yet the animal isfree to move from one side of the container to the other, breathethrough the screen and be observed.

A container 11 may itself be used for shipment. Preferably the bottomseam where flap 19 is closed would be taped to form a secure enclosedunit. According to another aspect of the invention, containers such as11 may be placed in a convenient carrier.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a carrier 50 having a bottom portiondivided into two like portions 49 by a generally triangular verticalpartition 44. Carrier 50 may accommodate four containers like container11.

Carrier 50 is preferably of triangular cross section as illustrated toenhance its structural strength. Carrier 50 may also be made ofcorrugated cardboard with the outer portions being a unitary structurefolded as shown to form the container and fastened together at the topwith means such as staples 13. The top is formed with openings such as28 for accommodating a hook, fingers or other supporting means. Verticaldivider 44 not only helps separate the carrier into four compartments,but also provides additional strength and is formed with tabs 45 thatreside in a mating opening.

A central horizontal section 40 completes the division of carrier 50into four compartments and is formed with end tabs, such as 41,accommodated in a mating recess, such as 42.

The end portions of carrier 15 are formed with tabs such as 30, foldedover along seams, such as 32. After two containers such as 11 areinserted into the upper and lower compartments exposed in FIG. 4, end 31may be folded up so that a tab 41 passes through recess 42 with tabs 30inside the sloping side walls of carrier 50. End wall 31 is formed witha vent opening 29 aligned with a corresponding opening in the oppositeend wall so that the individual containers receive ventilation whileavoiding drafts and strong currents of air that might chill the animalsbeing carried.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a plan view of vertical divider 44illustrating tabs 45 and a horizontal slot 46 for mating with slot 46'of horizontal divider 40 as best seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a plan viewof horizontal platform 40.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a sectional view through section 77of FIG. 4 illustrating how the tabs 45 reside in mating slots in thesloping side walls.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an end portion of carrier 50 afterassembly with end 3] closed. Tape 52 may be strapped across end panel 31as shown to keep the carrier secure despite relatively rough handling.

There has been described a novel system facilitating the transportationof living materials. The system is characterized by adequatelyprotecting living material, being relatively easy and inexpensive tofabricate while affording good protection of the living material. Thecost is sufficiently low to justify use only one time.

It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous usesand modifications of and departures from the specific embodimentsdescribed herein without departing from the inventive concepts.Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each andevery novel feature and novel combination of features present in orpossessed by the apparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limitedsolely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Living materials shipping apparatus comprising,

a container having a top, bottom, sides and ends,

the area of said top being less than the area of said bottom andincluding ventilating means formed with openings large enough to permitobservation and air flow therethrough and small enough to confine livingmaterial to the inside thereof,

said sides sloping upward and inward from said bottom to said top,

said bottom being divided into a pair of adjacent panels hingablyattached to respective ones of said side panels for selectivelyproviding access to the inside of said container,

at least another of said containers,

carrier means for receiving said containers,

said carrier means being of substantially triangular cross section andformed with compartments for accommodating said container and meansdefining vent openings.

2. Living materials shipping apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein said carrier comprises a bottom, sides sloping upward and inwardfrom said bottom and joined together at their tops,

intersecting vertical and horizontal panels defining said compartments,

end panels of generally triangular shape hingably attached to thecarrier bottom for closing said compartments, said vertical panels beingformed with tabs for accommodation in mating recesses of said sides ofsaid carrier,

said horizontal panel being formed with tabs for accommodation in matingrecesses of said end panels.

1. Living materials shipping apparatus comprising, a container having atop, bottom, sides and ends, the area of said top being less than thearea of said bottom and including ventilating means formed with openingslarge enough to permit observation and air flow therethrough and smallenough to confine living material to the inside thereof, said sidessloping upward and inward from said bottom to said top, said bottombeing divided into a pair of adjacent panels hingably attached torespective ones of said side panels for selectively providing access tothe inside of said container, at least another of said containers,carrier means for receiving said containers, said carrier means being ofsubstantially triangular cross section and formed with compartments foraccommodating said container and means defining vent openings.
 2. Livingmaterials shipping apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcarrier comprises a bottom, sides sloping upward and inward from saidbottom and joined together at their tops, intersecting vertical andhorizontal panels defining said compartments, end panels of generallytriangular shape hingably attached to the carrier bottom for closingsaid compartments, said vertical panels being formed with tabs foraccommodation in mating recesses of said sides of said carrier, saidhorizontal panel being formed with tabs for accommodation in matingrecesses of said end panels.